Chapter Text
A week after the solar storm, TK was back to work. Not cleared for full duty yet, but cleared to at least be at the firehouse and ride with the 126 on calls as long as there was nothing strenuous.
He was happy because he was losing his mind after being stuck at home for so long with nothing to do.
And also without a certain police officer to distract him.
After the talk at the juice bar, Carlos went totally MIA. No messages, no attempts to contact him and since TK wasn't working, he hadn't seen him on any calls either.
He would never admit that he was missing him more than he thought he would.
So when 126 was called to an elementary school fire scene, TK thought maybe he could see him there.
TK likes Carlos a lot, that is not the problem, or actually it is, because Carlos is exactly the kind of man he always dreamed of, caring, loving, and willing to invest everything in a relationship.
But Carlos is the perfect thing at the wrong time.
Despite imagining that Carlos wasn't Alex, and that he would never break TK's heart that way, the firefighter still couldn't get rid of the fear of having his life turned upside down again if something went wrong.
So yes, he missed Carlos, he wanted to be by the man's side, but he was still too scared to take the next step.
When they reached the scene, TK looked around and could see Carlos's cruiser and had to control the smile that threatened to break out on his face at the mere possibility of seeing the man.
It was great though, that everyone had to immediately run to contain the flames and no one had time to see him daydreaming about Carlos like a lovestruck teenager.
In the end, the fire was small, something about a discarded cigarette in a bin full of paper, and was quickly brought under control.
When he finished helping to put away the equipment, TK took another look around for Carlos and didn't see him again.
Then his father called everyone back to the firehouse saying that EMS would stay a while longer as apparently some of the police officers on the scene needed assistance as they entered to help remove some of the children before the fire department even arrived.
TK didn't expect the feeling that raced through his blood upon hearing that maybe the reason he hadn't seen Carlos was because he could be hurt.
He also knew that it wouldn't be reasonable for him to stay behind to check since they were nothing anymore, apparently not even friends since the other man had cut off all communication between them.
So with his heart pounding and a strong need to confirm that Carlos was okay, but without a reason to do so, TK climbed into the truck and headed back to the firehouse.
"Hey, are you okay? You've been really quiet since our last call." Of course, Paul would be the one to notice.
"Yes, I'm fine, just tired." TK then felt guilty as he saw the look of concern on his friend's face.
"I think you better stay behind for our next call."
"I'm fine, just not used to it anymore. And I'm not even doing anything but being on the radio."
"Still, you don't have to prove anything to anyone. We're here for you." And TK smiled, he knew it was true and he loved this team for that, they were really serious about supporting each other.
Once Paul was out of sight, TK sighed. He knew he shouldn't, but he cared enough about Carlos to check, even though the other man was making it clear he didn't want to talk through his silence.
TK: Hi, I was at the scene of the fire earlier, I saw your cruiser and you weren't around. Then we were told that some officers were injured, I'm just checking with you. Are you okay?
When he finished writing, TK's heart was beating faster than when he had a difficult phone call.
Then the three dots appeared on the screen and TK let out a relieved breath.
Carlos: Hey! I am fine. I was one of those who went in before your team arrived but I wasn't injured or needed oxygen, thanks for checking anyway.
TK closed his eyes and felt a rush of adrenaline. It was stupid how much he still cared about someone he'd just turned down a few days ago.
TK: I worry about you.
Carlos: 🙂
A polite answer. Cold but polite. And that was all TK could ask for. And it was only his own fault.